By Maria Jones — January 30, 2026
Former President Donald Trump has filed a major federal lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, accusing the agency of failing to protect his confidential tax information after a politically charged leak by a government contractor sent his private financial records to the press.
The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Florida, alleges that the IRS violated federal disclosure laws when Trump’s tax returns were unlawfully accessed and shared by former contractor Charles Littlejohn, who later provided the information to left-leaning media outlets including The New York Times and ProPublica.
Lawsuit Alleges Systemic Failure at IRS
According to the filing, Trump is seeking $100 million in damages, arguing the IRS demonstrated a “complete and total failure” to safeguard taxpayer data, despite longstanding legal obligations under federal law. The lawsuit asserts that the agency ignored warning signs and internal safeguards that should have prevented the breach.
Trump’s legal team argues the leak was not an isolated mistake, but the result of what the complaint describes as a “rogue, politically motivated” actor operating within a system that lacked adequate oversight. The suit centers on protections outlined in the Internal Revenue Code, which strictly limits access to and disclosure of tax return information.
The case stems from disclosures first reported in a series of investigative stories by The New York Times and ProPublica, which published detailed analyses of Trump’s tax records after receiving them from Littlejohn. ProPublica has acknowledged receiving the materials from the former IRS contractor, as detailed in its own reporting on the source of the leak.
IRS Contractor Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
Littlejohn, who worked as a contractor for the IRS and later the Treasury Department, pleaded guilty in 2023 to unlawfully disclosing tax return information. In January 2024, he was sentenced to five years in federal prison, the maximum penalty under the statute, according to a sentencing announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Federal prosecutors stated that Littlejohn accessed and downloaded thousands of tax records over several years, exploiting his authorized credentials before sharing the information with media organizations. At sentencing, the Justice Department emphasized the seriousness of the crime, noting that unauthorized disclosure of tax data undermines public trust in the federal tax system.
Trump Points to Political Motivation
In the lawsuit, Trump argues the leak was fueled by partisan animus and coincided with heightened political scrutiny of his finances during and after his presidency. His attorneys contend that the IRS failed to act decisively even after becoming aware of potential vulnerabilities in its data systems.
The IRS has declined to comment on the pending litigation, citing policy on ongoing legal matters. The agency has previously stated it has taken steps to strengthen internal controls following the Littlejohn case.
Broader Implications for Taxpayer Privacy
Legal experts note that while the lawsuit focuses on Trump, the case could have broader implications for taxpayer privacy and government accountability. Federal law provides for civil damages when taxpayer information is wrongfully disclosed, and courts have historically treated such violations as serious breaches of public trust.
The case remains in its early stages, with no trial date set.
